Wenger disappointed for Ade

25 April 2010 11:03

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted the boos directed at former Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the goalless draw against Manchester City on Saturday disappointed him.
Other former players in Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira received warmer welcomes back to the club, but Adebayor received a hostile reception on his return after his goal celebration in City's 4-2 win over Arsenal last September earned him the fans' wrath.
Wenger had asked for forgiveness in his programme notes but his plea was clearly rejected while the Frenchman admitted his introduction in the second half livened up an otherwise drab contest.
He said: "I said before the game that I want everybody to be respected, so you know clearly what I think.
"It made it a bit livelier (when Adebayor came on to the field) because our supporters suddenly got lively.
"He was focused and motivated and sharp and he won some longer balls and that's why suddenly it was a bit livelier.
"But even then they (City) didn't commit a lot. They played a lot on the counter-attack and when you can break counter-attacks up there is not a lot of trouble.
"It was an afternoon I must say I'm not used to. We created very few chances and Manchester City didn't create anything.
"They were highly focused on defending well and we could not find the opener and, as long as we couldn't do that, it was a locked game."